TEHRAN – The Hungarian ambassador to Iran, Giola Peto, was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry following a joint statement by the European Union (EU) and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that reiterated claims over three islands in the Persian Gulf, a move Iran strongly opposes.

Hungary, currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, was called upon by Iran’s Political Deputy of Foreign Affairs to express the country's strong protest against the EU-GCC statement. Iran has long maintained its sovereignty over the disputed islands—Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb—while other regional actors, notably the United Arab Emirates, continue to challenge Iran’s claims.

During the meeting, the Director General of the Western Europe Department at Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and the United Nations Charter, particularly the principles of respecting territorial integrity and national sovereignty. The Iranian official condemned the European Union's support for baseless and illegal claims against Iran’s rightful ownership of the islands.